Because Sometimes 140 Characters Just Isn't Enough

Category Archives: Family News

I’ve decided to try running a little “Quote of the Day” here on the site. I just want to see if I can do it and how it works. I’ve thought about doing this on Twitter from time to time, or maybe even my Facebook page, but for some reason, I got the idea to add it to my sidebar here. So, I’m going to try it out. The quotes will be culled from everywhere. Books, TV, movies, games, whatever. I may even throw in a personal quote from someone I know from time to time (“Skiing?”). It’s an experiment right now, so we’ll see how it goes. I added a “Quote of the Day Archive” page as well, just for reference. Comments are always welcome. Let me know if you like it! Oh, and I’ll have some more real content coming soon.
EDIT:
I tried it for a couple of days, and I decided it was something that would work better on my Facebook page than here. Besides, my Facebook page could use some content!

Priorities are something one should take out, dust off, and give a good once-over every so often. It’s healthy and reaffirming. It’s nice to know that you, yourself, still approve of what you’re doing, since you’re not likely to get that from anywhere else. The media will hound you, day after day, with messages designed to make you re-evaluate what you think and do. That, in and of itself is another rant for another time, but it’s still good to get that affirmation from yourself, if you can’t get it anywhere else.

One week since an EF5 tornado ripped right through my birthplace, Joplin, Missouri.

I don’t live in Joplin. I live roughly 10 miles to the north in a little town called Oronogo. It’s a suburb (of sorts) of a town called Webb City, which, in turn, is a suburb of Joplin. I have spent most of my life living in and around Joplin. For one year I lived in Chicago. Other than that, it’s been primarily Joplin or Webb City. So, technically, no, I don’t live in Joplin. But I do work in Joplin. I drive into Joplin almost every day. I know many people from Joplin.I was born in Joplin. I went to first grade in Joplin—at Alcott—only a few blocks from St. John’s Hospital, which was destroyed. I don’t know if the school survived, but the proximity tells me it probably didn’t. I went to college at Missouri Southern State University (which is currently serving as a shelter). With the exception of the time I was in Chicago, every paying job I’ve ever had was in Joplin.

Last night, a tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri. I have spent most of my life living in and around the city of Joplin. Right now, I live north of Joplin, and my home was not in the path of last night’s destruction. I have not lost anything. Most of my friends and family were largely untouched, although some of lost everything but their lives. As of right now, I don’t have much to say on this subject, as the events are just too surreal at this time, but I will have more later. Until then, I’m not sure how often I’ll have updates (not that many people read it right now). I will write about this at some time, I’m sure. Until then, prayers are welcome.

I have some things I want to talk about, but I have had some family issues to deal with of late. I had to take an extra day off of work to attend a funeral today, and to make up for that, I had to work a 13-hour day yesterday, and I’ll have to do it again tomorrow. So more later. I’m exhausted.

I’ve had a difficult day at work. The bright side is that I only need to make it through one more day, then I’m on vacation. It’s a long time coming, and well-deserved, if I do say so myself. My youngest refuses to go to sleep, and she keeps dirtying her diaper (I just changed her an hour ago, and she’s stinky again). But she does it in the most adorable way, of course. Parents can be sickening, I know, but this little girl is too cute. Anyway, during my vacation, if the woman doesn’t force me into too many activities, I will get an opportunity to smooth some of the rough edges on this blog, as well as try to get some writing done. More then, I suppose.